Seventy-four percent of the drinkers in the sample reported having participated in a drinking game, with game-players reporting participation in an average of four drinking games in the previous 6 months. All of the games were associated with heavy drinking, with an average of six standard drinks being consumed during the most recent game. Pressure from others to participate in a drinking game was reported by 60 percent of game participants, and 50 percent reported that they had pressured others to participate in a game. Fifty-one percent reported an adverse outcome following game participation. Loss of consciousness due to heavy drinking was experienced or witnessed by 89 percent of game players. Given the important social functions of drinking games and alcohol consumption generally, prevention programs should attempt to develop alcohol-free social contexts that meet some of the social goals of drinking games and drinking binges, i.e., relief of boredom and facilitation of social interaction. The study used a cross-sectional survey that incorporated structured interviews and a self-administered questionnaire completed by students between 18 and 25 years old attending the University of Western Australia. Twenty-seven personal interviews were completed, and 256 questionnaire responses were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative data and information. 3 tables and 30 references